Tag: Crime

Cristy Campbell is being sought by the Glen Carbon, Illinois Police. (Facebook)

An Illinois woman has been found dead after she drove her SUV into a lake with her infant son inside following a fire at her home that killed a man, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Six children escaped from the Thursday morning fire at the home in Glen Carbon, Illinois, owned by Cristy Lynn Campbell, 32, and rescuers were also able to save the infant from Campbell’s SUV, the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Campbell’s body was found at the lake about four hours after driving into the water. Her baby son is expected to make a full recovery, police say. Authorities have said the fire and the incident at the lake are connected, and had called Campbell a “person of interest” in the blaze, before she was found dead.

State fire marshall just arrived on scene of Glen Carbon fire. One person is dead. 6 children escaped. This is a criminal investigation. pic.twitter.com/eiLbktTlrX

Police said they are still investigating both incidents and say many details about what happened have not yet been determined. No information about the person who died in the house fire has been released by authorities. A neighbor told the newspaper that Campbell lives at the home with her husband and seven children.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Campbell’s Children Sought Help at a Nearby Walmart After Escaping From the Blaze

Two of Campbell’s children ran to a nearby Walmart to seek help after the fire started. The six kids, all siblings, were all accounted for after the fire, but an adult was found dead inside the house, police said.

2. Her Infant Son Was Pulled From the Lake by Paramedics, Who Performed CPR on the Baby Before He Was Flown to a Hospital

Cristy Campbell with her family. (Facbeook)

Not long after the fire, rescuers responded to Silver Lake in Highland, Illinois, about 15 miles away from Campbell’s house in Glen Carbon. A silver Nissan Armada was found in the lake with an infant inside. No one else was in the SUV. Campbell’s neighbor, Sherry Ricker, said the SUV pulled from the lake belongs to Campbell’s husband.

A passerby saw the SUV in the lake and called police. Paramedics jumped into the frigid lake to pull the infant to safety, KMOV-TV reports.

“One of our paramedics had jumped in the water already and retrieved an infant from the water,” Highland Fire Department Captain Brad Menz told the news station. “They did do CPR on the infant, took the child to the hospital, child was eventually flown to a St. Louis hospital.”

3. Campbell Gave Birth to Her Son in December & Has 6 Other Children

“My baby boy turned 2 months old yesterday! He weighs 10 lbs 2oz. Hes gained an oz a day since birth!,” she wrote on February 11.

She has six other children and posted several photos of them on her page.

4. She Was an Illinois Native Who Worked in Accounting & Finance

Cristy Campbell. (Glen Carbon Police)

Campbell was a native of Illinois. She attended Edwardsville High School in 2003 and studied accounting and finance at American InterContinental University, according to her Facebook page. She graduated from the online university in 2006 with a degree in business administration, accounting and finance.

5. A Neighbor Called Campbell & Her Husband ‘Nice People’

“They were nice people,” another neighbor, Sherry Ricker, told the newspaper. “I was really surprised, but I’m glad the kids are OK.”

Glen Carbon Police Lieutenant Wayne White said police had responded to the home “several times” in the past for “day-to-day” calls, but didn’t provide any other details.

“Our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers go out to the entire family for their terrible loss,” White told the News-Democrat.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Campbell was divorced in Madison County, Illinois, in 2012 from a man she refers to as the father of her children on Facebook. In the months before the divorce, Campbell obtained an order of protection against her then-husband, alleging abuse. The order was dismissed about two weeks later, the newspaper reports.

A 44-year-old mother of five and EMT was killed after police say a career criminal ran her over with her own ambulance.

The horrific situation unfolded in the Bronx and took the life of Yadira “Yari” Arroyo. Shocking video from the scene showed Arroyo’s crumpled body lying in the street as passersby stopped to gape. (Be aware that the video at the previous link is very graphic and disturbing).

Jose Gonzalez is now accused of being the joyrider who killed Arroyo. He’s described as a career criminal with a lengthy arrest record.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. The Suspect Is Accused of Carjacking the Ambulance After Riding on Its Bumper

According to NBC New York, the two emergency medical technicians for the New York Fire Department were told the man was riding “on the back bumper of their ambulance in the Bronx at around 7 p.m.” as they headed to a call.

The EMTs got out and approached the man, who jumped into the ambulance and ran over Arroyo, the driver of the ambulance, reported NBC.

The EMTs were heading to an accident in the Bronx when they noticed a person on back of ambulance. He then got in and drove over the EMT

The New York post is calling Gonzalez a “joyrider.” According to ABC 7, police said Arroyo “got out of the ambulance along with her partner. Then, the suspect apparently got into the driver’s seat and started to drive away. The two EMTs tried to stop him…The suspect put the ambulance in reverse, knocking Arroyo to the ground, then drove over her.”

Videos shared by citizens to social media were horrifying. One, posted to Twitter and then YouTube, shows her crumpled body in the street as citizens make phone calls and try to figure out what’s happened. Arroyo’s partner’s screams pierce the videos.

A second shows “the ambulance speeding across an intersection with one of its doors open, its lights flashing and the body of one of the EMTs being dragged beneath the vehicle,” according to NBC.

Arroyo was a mother of four children. According to the New York Post, they range in age from 24 to 7. The oldest son told the newspaper that all of the older children were able to say goodbye to their mother.

3. Arroyo’s Family Members Expressed Great Grief on Social Media & Fellow EMTs Hurled Insults at Gonzalez

Arroyo’s brother wrote on social media, “She was my only sister… I may not have been raised with her, but I loved her like If we did… why God.. she was a good person.. RIP Yari Arroyo I will always love you…”

A cousin wrote on Facebook, “A member of our family has just been killed; Yari Arroyo was an EMT working in NYC and was run over by the man she was trying to help, when he stole the ambulance and run over both EMTs Killing my Cousin!”

4. Arroyo’s Public Facebook Page Contains a Positive Message at the Top & the Suspect Has 31 Arrests on His Rap Sheet

What can be viewed on Arroyo’s public Facebook page reveals a positive personality. Her top post, changing her cover photo last August, bore the message, “always be positive” with a smiley face.

The page says she lives in the Bronx and was from New York. She also posted about home decorating and cleaning.

According to the New York Post, the suspect claimed he was innocent as authorities walked him out of a precinct.

“Gonzalez has an extensive rap sheet with arrests dating back to 2008, including for assault, criminal mischief, marijuana sale and possession, turnstile jumping and public lewdness,’ the Post reported. The New York Daily News reports that Gonzalez has 31 arrests on his rap sheet.

5. Arroyo Was Engaged to an EMT & Two of Her Children Wanted to be EMTs

RIP to the FDNY EMT killed in the line of duty Yari Arroyo. Thoughts and prayers to the family as well as the other EMT Williams. pic.twitter.com/2afuS8PlNC

According to The New York Post, Arroyo’s sister-in-law said of the children’s goodbye to Arroyo: “It was devastating. It was their mother. They were very upset but the eldest held it together for the others and he gave them a beautiful speech saying he was going to take care of his brothers and be a rock for them,” she said.

The Post reported that one of Arroyo’s sons is studying to be an EMT, another son plans to do so, and her fiancee is an EMT she met at work. The sister-in-law told the post that Arroyo was helping put her son through school and “loved to work.”

According to NBC New York, the two emergency medical technicians for the New York Fire Department – Arroyo and another woman – were told the man was riding “on the back bumper of their ambulance in the Bronx at around 7 p.m.” as they headed to a call.

It’s now believed that Gonzalez allegedly flagged down the ambulance first.

The other EMT was also injured but is expected to survive. ABC 7 reports that Gonzalez was charged with “murder, grand larceny and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.”

According to ABC 7, police said Arroyo “got out of the ambulance along with her partner. Then, the suspect apparently got into the driver’s seat and started to drive away. The two EMTs tried to stop him…The suspect put the ambulance in reverse, knocking Arroyo to the ground, then drove over her.”

Videos shared by citizens to social media were horrifying. One, posted to Twitter and then YouTube, shows her crumpled body in the street as citizens make phone calls and try to figure out what’s happened. Arroyo’s partner’s screams pierce the videos.

The video below shows the scene without the graphic nature of the body but is still disturbing because of the partner’s screams.

Another video shows “the ambulance speeding across an intersection with one of its doors open, its lights flashing and the body of one of the EMTs being dragged beneath the vehicle,” according to NBC.

4. The Suspect Denies Killing Arroyo & Has a Lengthy Rap Sheet

According to the New York Post, the suspect claimed he was innocent as authorities walked him out of a precinct. The Daily News alleges Gonzalez is a Bloods gang member.

“Gonzalez has an extensive rap sheet with arrests dating back to 2008, including for assault, criminal mischief, marijuana sale and possession, turnstile jumping and public lewdness,’ the Post reported. The New York Daily News reports that Gonzalez has 31 arrests on his rap sheet.

5. Arroyo’s Family Expressed Grief Over her Loss on Social Media

Arroyo’s brother wrote on social media, “She was my only sister… I may not have been raised with her, but I loved her like If we did… why God.. she was a good person.. RIP Yari Arroyo I will always love you…”

A cousin wrote on Facebook, “A member of our family has just been killed; Yari Arroyo was an EMT working in NYC and was run over by the man she was trying to help, when he stole the ambulance and run over both EMTs Killing my Cousin!”

What can be viewed on Arroyo’s public Facebook page reveals a positive personality. Her top post, changing her cover photo last August, bore the message, “always be positive” with a smiley face.

The page says she lives in the Bronx and was from New York. She also posted about home decorating and cleaning.

RIP to the FDNY EMT killed in the line of duty Yari Arroyo. Thoughts and prayers to the family as well as the other EMT Williams. pic.twitter.com/2afuS8PlNC

After stabbing Frisard to death, Tart is accused of going to another apartment in the building and shooting the other three victims in the head, according to the newspaper. A fifth victim, a woman, was also shot, but survived, and called 911.

2. Tips From Neighbors & DNA Led Authorities to Tart, Police Say

The sheriff said “more than 50 deputies worked on this case, and tips from neighbors, along with DNA evidence, helped to tie Tart to the killings,” according to WGNO.

The sheriff told WGNO: “The life cycle of a dope dealer is not a real long life cycle,” Normand said. “People always have the desire to steal your money, steal your things. Depending on what kind of dope it is, you can cut that cocaine and you can begin to make huge multiples from a monetary standpoint. The more you sell, the more risk you have.”

According to the TV station, the sheriff said that Tart allegedly found out about drug activity in the neighboring apartment from staying with Frisard. WGNO reported that authorities believe the motive was steal a large amount of cocaine in second apartment.

4. Rosemary Charles Was Known as ‘Mama Rose’ & Took Care of the Elderly

According to Nola.com, Rosemary Charles was described by relatives as a kindly woman named “Mama Rose” who took care of the elderly.

The newspaper said she was a grandmother of two, and family members were baffled why anyone would want to harm her, quoting one of them as saying, “She’s always taking everybody in. Once you say her name, everybody knows her. The person she was, when she was in a room, she lit up the room.”

5. Tart Now Faces a String of Charges & Two of the Victims Have Significant Drug Histories

JPSO gives update on their investigation into the quadruple murder that occurred on Pasadena Ave in Metairie. pic.twitter.com/ZwPr8bSIQM

A student who has an ICE detainer against him is accused along with his friend of raping a 14-year-old girl during school hours in a Rockville High School bathroom stall.

Henry E. Sanchez Milian, 18, and Jose O. Montano, 17, both 9th graders at the Maryland school despite their ages, were ordered held without bond, The Washington Post reported. (The photo above is of Sanchez Milian.)

The men had each been in the U.S. for less than a year, and ICE has a detain hold on Sanchez for, according to the Washington Post, a “pending alien removal case.”

The case has been thrust into the national immigration debate when Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Sean Spicer mentioned it during a press briefing as an example of why the president wants to tighten immigration policies.

The details of the offense are contained in disturbing court documents. Beware that the details are graphic.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. The Court Documents Describe a Graphic Rape by Both Male Teenagers in the Bathroom

Jose Montano, 17, and Henry Sanchez, 18, have been charged with first-degree rape and sexual offense in attack at Rockville High in Maryland pic.twitter.com/xHma2mgNnU

Court documents said that, on March 16, an officer began an investigation into an allegation of rape of a minor. The victim is called Victim A in the disturbing report.

The report says Victim A is a 14-year-old female who attends Rockville High school in Rockville, Maryland.

“Victim A told school staff that she was sexually assaulted by two boys in the school bathroom,” the report says.

“She was in the school hallway when she met with the two other students later identified as Jose Montano and Henry Sanchez Milian. She knew Montano as a friend and did not know Sanchez,” the court documents say.

They say Montano and the victim engaged in conversation and then he allegedly asked the victim for a hug. They passed the bathroom, and Montano is accused of asking her for sex, but she refused. He asked again “more persistently and pushed victim A into the boys’ bathroom,” the court documents allege.

In the bathroom, the two suspects are accused of pushing the girl into a bathroom stall and raping her multiple times and ways, including sodomizing her, while speaking to each other in Spanish. At one point she “cried out in pain” and was told to calm down, the records allege.

Blood was recovered from the bathroom, the report says.

2. Sanchez Has a Pending ‘Alien Removal’ Case Against Him & Was Stopped by Border Patrol Seven Months Ago

According to The Washington Post, Sanchez is “a native of Guatemala who arrived in the United States about seven months ago” and has a “pending ‘alien removal’ case against him.”

According to Fox News, “a Border Patrol agent stopped Sanchez-Milian in August 2016 in Rio Valley Grande, Texas, and determined he’d entered the country illegally from Mexico. Sanchez-Milian was ordered to appear before an immigration judge, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled.”

Montano came to the United States eight months ago, the Post reported. Because he’s a minor, ICE won’t reveal details of his immigration status, but Sanchez is a citizen of Guatemala, according to WTOP.

The suspects were charged with “first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sexual offense in the violent assault of the female student,” reported WTOP, which said the older suspect is charged as an adult.

3. The Teenagers Were Arrested at the School, Which Sent a Letter Home to Parents & the Superintendent Wants to ‘Change the Conversation’ From Immigration

The television station reported that the school sent a letter home to parents.

“Ensuring a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment for all of our students is our top priority,” the letter said, according to WTOP. “Our staff remains vigilant in the monitoring of our school each and every day. Please remind your child that if they believe they are a victim of an assault or see something inappropriate, they should immediately tell a staff member.”

According to the Baltimore Sun, Jack Smith, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, said, “Some try to make this into an issue of immigration. We would like to change the conversation.” Smith said, “We serve every student who walks in the door. It is not only the right thing to do, it is the law,” according to the newspaper.

4. The Charges Carry the Possibility of Life in Prison & Both Spicer & the Governor Expressed Outrage

The President’s press secretary, Spicer, brought the case up in a press briefing on March 20, saying, “I think part of the reason that the president has made illegal immigration and crackdown such a big deal is because of tragedies like this.”

The state’s governor expressed outrage on Facebook, writing, “The State of Maryland is calling on Montgomery County to immediately and fully cooperate with all federal authorities during the investigation of this heinous crime. The public has a right to know how something this tragic and unacceptable was allowed to transpire in a public school.”

NBC News quoted Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office spokesman Ramon Korionoff as saying, “These are very serious allegations carrying a life sentence. The potential of life in prison would be available as we prosecute these individuals.”

The attorney representing Montano wants the younger suspect moved to a juvenile facility, according to NBC. Police have not released a mugshot for Montano because he’s underage.

5. The Judge Deemed Both Suspects Flight Risks

Two Rockville High School students have been charged with the rape of one of their fellow classmates. https://t.co/ExwkbUNMtf

In denying the suspects bond, a judge “said they were dangerous and flight risks due to the fact they have only been in this country for a couple of months. Montano came to the U.S. from El Salvador,” reported WUSA9.

According to Fox 5 DC, “Although the two suspects are 17 and 18 years old, they were enrolled as freshmen because they both arrived in the United States only a few months ago and were taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.”

A married 38-year-old mom has admitted to having sex as many as 15 times with a teenage boy in Michigan. Brooke Lajiness appeared in court on March 16 in the Pittsfield Township, just south of Ann Arbor. There, Lajiness told a judge that she had sex with a 14-year-old boy between eight and 15 times. The pair also exchanged naked photos via text messages, according to Michigan State Trooper Donald Pasternak. The abuse began in the summer of 2016 while the boy was in between middle and high school.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Lajiness Was Accompanied By Her Husband in Court as She Faced 13 Counts of Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

Lajiness pictured with her husband. (Facebook)

Michigan Live reports that Lajiness first appeared in court on March 16, she will be back for a probable cause hearing on March 30. The website reports that Lejiness will be charged with 13 counts of third-degree criminal sexual contact, one count of accosting a minor and one count of furnishing obscenity to a child.

Michigan State Police Trooper Donald Pasternak told a jury on March 3 that he had been investigating Lejiness since February, reports Michigan Live. He said that the case began when the mother of the victim went to a trooper station and reported the abuse. Pasternak said that the majority of the sex took place in Lajiness’ car. He added, “They started conversing and exchanging nude photographs while he was still in middle school.”

2. Lajiness Is Banned From Booze, Social Media & Contacting Minors While Out on Bail

(Facebook)

Lajiness is free on a $50,000 bond, reports Michigan Live. During that time, Lajiness is forbidden from drinking alcohol, taking drugs, going on social media and having contact with minors. Lajiness is however allowed to go back to her family home in Toledo, Ohio, so as long as he informs authorities about her plans to travel.

Prosecutors are investigating whether or not there are more victims. Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor John Vella told Michigan Live, “This case involves a defendant seeking out minors for sex.” While Lajiness’ lawyer, David Goldstein, countered, “He keeps talking about ‘minors,’ but there’s one.”

3. Lajiness Studied Biology at the University of Las Vegas

(Facebook)

According to her Facebook page, Lajiness is from Erie, Michigan and now lives in the town of Dexter. She spent time studying biology at the University of Las Vegas, though her page doesn’t say if she graduated. Lajiness also studied at the Michigan College of Beauty and graduated from Mason Senior High School in Erie. Her last job was a Biundo’s Salon & Spa in Monroe, Michigan.

Lajiness is married to David Lajiness Junior. Her maiden name is Sedlar. They were married in 2000. The couple has two children, a son, and a daughter. Their son is high school age. In her About section, Lajiness says, “I am loving my life at the moment. My kids are independant but still rely on me most of the time. I am truly blessed for my wonderful family that is healthy and happy. What more can a mom ask for her family.”

4. Lajiness Regularly Updates Her Facebook Page With Messages of Love for Her Husband

(Facebook)

One of Lajiness’s favorite topics on Facebook is her husband. Her last visible posting is from February 16 when she posted a picture of the couple saying, “I love this man so much.” Earlier in February, Lajiness posted another photo, writing in the caption, “In life nothing is guaranteed. So finding someone who knows all your flaws, weaknesses and mistakes and still thinks you’re amazing is something to hold onto and never take for granted!” While in June 2016, which is around the time prosecutors believe the abuse started, Lajiness wrote under a photo of the pair together, “Thanks for being my #1 fan for the past 19 years.”

In Myriam Denov’s Perspectives on Female Sex Offending, male victims are regularly the victims of legal and social double standards. Experts told CNN in 2014 that the CDC’s official numbers, saying 1 in 71 men have been raped in the U.S., are likely incorrect. That’s due to underreporting and unwillingness for victims to come forward.

“Lockhart parents entrust their children to us every day, and it is something we do not take lightly. Student safety is the district’s most important priority,” Superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement. “As soon as we learned of the report, we acted swiftly to involve law enforcement and (Child Protective Services) to conduct a thorough investigation. The district does not and will not tolerate any improper communication or contact between a teacher and child.”

The school district said it learned about the “improper relationship” Fowlkes was having with a student on March 10.

Fowlkes is charged with engaging in an improper relationship between an educator and student, a second-degree felony.

Her attorney, Jason Nassour, told KXAS-TV his client is innocent, and that’s why she’s smiling in her mugshot.

“You’ve got a young lady who was arrested on the statement of a 17-year-old kid with no corroborating evidence. This isn’t a guilty person sitting there like they just got caught,” Nassour told the news station. “When everything’s fleshed out it won’t be as it appears.”

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Fowlkes Is Accused of Engaging in ‘Sexual Content With the Intent to Arouse or Gratify the Sexual Desire of the Student’

(Facebook)

Sarah Fowlkes engaged in “sexual content with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the student,” during encounters with the student, Lockhart Police told the Hays Free Press.

According to police, detectives determined Fowlkes and the 17-year-old male student were in contact in person and “by message” with the teacher.

Police said in court documents that “Investigation into the incident led the case detective to a male student aged 17 named Michael (pseudonym). Interviews determined that Michael had been in contact in person and by message with an educator in Lockhart High School identified as Sarah Madden Fowlkes. … Michael revealed that during the course of their encounters, (Fowlkes) touched Michael’s genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of Michael and that Michael made contact with the defendant’s breasts, with the intent to arouse of gratify the sexual desire of the defendant.”

“On behalf of the district and Board of Trustees, I want to assure parents we do not tolerate this kind of behavior and are fully cooperating with law enforcement and CPS. We will always take swift action to make sure concerns are properly investigated and actions taken to ensure student safety,” Superintendent Susan Bohn said in a statement. “I also want to thank the LPD for their steady and unwavering support of our school district and commitment to the safety of our students and staff.”

Lockhart Police told KXAN-TV the case is the first time they’ve investigated a teacher for having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

“Seventeen years old is obviously older, but at the same time it doesn’t make anything right,” Detective Jesse Bell told the news station. “If the kid is in school, parents trust the school to take care of their kids so it’s definitely not right — that a teacher in a position of power over a student be able to take advantage of a student.”

The age of consent in Texas is 17, but state law makes it illegal for teachers to have sexual contact with students of any age.

Bohn said, “Every day, you trust your children to our care, and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly. As a parent of a Lockhart ISD student, I join you in feeling anger and disappointment in what happened.As an administrator, I will always take swift action against anyone who would violate the sacred trust between students and educators.”

She said, “The campus will have counselors available to meet with any student who needs or wants support.”

2. She Taught Anatomy, Physiology & Environmental Systems at Lockhart High School After Previously Teaching at an Elementary School

(Facebook)

Fowlkes taught anatomy, physiology and environmental systems at Lockhart High School, a job she started in September, according to a now-deleted page on the school district’s website.

“This is my third year as a teacher, my previous two years were spent at Plum Creek Elementary where I was a third and fifth grade science and social studies teacher,” she wrote on the school website. “I have very high expectations of myself as a teacher as well as of my students and I hope that this will be a formula for achievement. I want this to be an enjoyable year for all of my students but also a productive, challenging and encouraging year with success for everyone.”

(Facebook)

School district Superintendent Susan Bohn said in a letter to parents, “Fowlkes will not return to the school district.”

The district also said it would also be “sending notice of the conduct to the State Board for Educator Certification.”

The school district said Fowlkes, who has been suspended, was hired in October 2014.

3. She Grew Up in Texas & Graduated From Saint Edwards University

Fowlkes grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas, about an hour away from Lockhart, and about 30 minutes away from Austin.

(Facebook)

She graduated from Saint Edwards University in Austin with a degree in biology, according to the school district’s website.

(Facebook)

“I started my teaching certification at the University of Texas at Austin under the UTeach program and completed my certification with A+ Texas Teachers Alternative Certification,” she wrote on the school district website. “I am certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade Generalist and 7th through 12th grade Sciences.”

4. She Has Been Married to Her Husband Since 2013 & She Celebrated Her 27th Birthday a Day Before Her Arrest

Sarah Fowlkes has been married since 2013. (Facebook)

Fowlkes has been married since October 2013, according to her Facebook page. She and her husband live in New Braunfels, Texas, about 40 minutes outside of Lockhart. Her husband is also a native of Dripping Springs.

Her maiden name is Madden, according to online records.

She celebrated her 27th birthday on March 19, a day before her arrest. She updated her Instagram profile picture (her account is private) with a photo showing her celebrating the birthday with her husband at a restaurant.

(Instagram)

Parents and former Lockhart High School students told KEYE-TV on Monday that they are surprised and disappointed by the arrest.

Some told the news station that social media doesn’t help teachers keep things professional with students.

“I feel like it makes it easier for an accidental relationship for that to happen,” said Joe Chapa. He said, “I just feel like the teacher should know better than to do that.”

River Morgan, a 2016 graduate, told the news station, “It shocked me. … I think maybe there’s not as much of a distance as there should be. It should be more professional.”

5. She Was Booked Into the Caldwell County Jail & Later Released

Sarah Fowlkes turned herself in at the Lockhart Police Department early Monday morning and was booked into the Caldwell County Jail, authorities said.

Online records show she has been released from custody. It is not clear when she is scheduled to appear in court. It is also not known if she has hired an attorney.

A 29-year-old Westlake, Texas, high school teacher, Haeli Way, was sentenced on March 10, 2017, to probation after pleading guilty to two counts of the same charge Fowlkes faces. She was given 10 years deferred adjudicated probation and did not have to spend any time in jail.

There were a record number of arrests of teachers for “inappropriate conduct” with students in 2016 in Texas, according to KXAN-TV. The Texas Education Agency said there were 222 cases of “inappropriate relationships” reported in 2016, the most since the agency began tracking in 2009.

“When we are dealing with cases that involve student safety we will do our very best to make sure that that educator is not back in a Texas public classroom,” Lauren Callahan with the Texas Education Agency, told KXAN. “And that we are able to sanction them in a way that they don’t hold that certificate. Again, everything is case by case.”

According to the news station, a Texas lawmaker, Rep. Jason Isaac, a Republican from Fowlkes’ hometown of Dripping Springs, introduced a law in February 2017 to crack down on the issue.

“School should be a safe place for students to go and learn and prepare for their future,” Isaac told KXAN, “and instead we are putting them in harms way.” The law would make sure a teacher caught in an inappropriate relationship would lose his or her teaching certificate.

Isaac said it would stop the practice of what he called, “passing the trash,” of teachers caught in wrongdoing resigning and taking a new job elsewhere.

“There are reports of teachers moving up to four different school districts and having continued repeated inappropriate relationships with a minor,” Isaac said. “We need to stop passing the trash from one school district to another. And God forbid this happens, but if it does a teacher should lose their teaching certificate and not be permitted to work in public schools or private schools or be around children period.”

School superintendent Susan Bohn asked parents to talk to their children about the arrest.

“If any student or parent has information about this situation, please contact the Lockhart Police Department at 512-398-4401,” Bohn said.

Ciccone, 21, was found dead about 11 p.m. on December 6, 2015, off Piney Branch Road in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, authorities said.

She had complained about a female stalker in the weeks before her death and said she had received death threats, but that woman has not been arrested. It is not known if that was connected to Ciccone’s death.

Heather Ciccone was found shot dead in a car in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. (Facebook)

1. Ciccone Told Her Mother She Was Going to Help a Friend Whose Car Had Broken Down & Had Recently Talked About Being Stalked by a Woman

Heather Ciccone’s mother, Stacy, told NBC Washington her daughter said she was going out to help a friend whose car had broken down. She left their home at about 9:30 p.m., and never returned. She was found dead at about 11 p.m., police said.

“Why would you take my little girl away from me?,” Stacy Ciccone asked during an interview with the news station.

Her father, Dennis, told the news station, “It’s hard to put in perspective until it really happens to you.”

There is no apparent connection between Ciccone and the driveway where she was found dead.

Police posted photos of Ciccone’s car and asked that anyone who saw it before the shooting to contact them. The photos show that “I ♡ U” was written on the back window of the car, with a winking smiley face below it:

Ciccone had complained to her family and on Facebook about a female stalker in the weeks before her death, but it is not known if that is connected to the case.

(Facebook)

On December 4, in her last public post, she wrote, “I hate when a female gets her friend to request me to lurk on my s**t. Like I see the girl who don’t like me in your pictures with you. Tell her to man up and send her own request.”

She wrote on December 3, “I swear I give up … I’m DONE playing nice.” Earlier that day she wrote, “I finally see the BIG picture. It hurts but from here on out, it’ll only get easier for ME.”

On December 2, Ciccone wrote, “I swear this bitch has NO f*****g life.” On that post, her sister commented, “What did she do now? You need to take your tail down to the magistrates and file harassment and stalking charges!”

Police have not yet said how they connected the two suspects, Joshua Williams and Jonathan Vejarano, to the case.

Williams and Vejarano were arrested after they were indicted on murder charges by a grand jury, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

“For the past fifteen months detectives have worked hard with the assistance of the several local jurisdictions to bring the case before a grand jury,” the sheriff’s office said. “Since this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be discussing evidence presented to the grand jury.”

The two men were both charged with first-degree murder. They were also indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Vejarano was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Vejarano and Williams are in custody at local jails, the sheriff’s office said. It is not known when they are due to appear in court on the murder charges.

2. Williams Was Accused of Abducting His Son in May 2016, Leading to an Amber Alert & Felony Domestic Violence Charges

Joshua Williams. (Spotsylvania County Sheriff)

Joshua Williams was accused of abducting his 3-year-old son in May 2016, leading to an Amber Alert and felony charges when he was caught, WVIR-TV reported at the time. Williams threatened to harm the boy, but the child was found safe, the news station reports.

Police said Williams assaulted his son’s mother, and took the boy, putting him in his car with only a diaper on and driving away, WRC-TV reported. The boy was later returned to his grandmother’s house by a stranger, police said.

“He’s made threats against the child — to either harm or kill — in the past,” Captain Jeffery Pearce of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office told WRC at the time.

The boy’s mother was hospitalized as a result of the assault, police said.

He has been in custody at the Central Virginia Regional Jail since his arrest in the Amber Alert case. Williams was charged with assault and battery on a family member, third offense, in that case, a felony charge that is still pending, court records show. A trial in that case is scheduled to begin on March 24 in Spotsylvania County Circuit Court.

Williams criminal record dates back to 2005, according to Spotsylvania County court records. He was arrested that year on charges of malicious wounding, assault and battery and disorderly conduct.

He pleaded guilty in 2006 to malicious wounding and was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended. The other charges in that case were dropped.

Williams was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2009 and sentenced to two months in jail. He was also convicted at the same time of attempted escape and sentenced to six months in prison on that charge.

He also has convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, probation violations and failure to comply with a judicial order, according to court records.

Jonathan Vejarano has a criminal record dating back to 2009, according to Virginia court records. He was arrested in August 2009 on felony charges of receiving stolen property worth more than $200.

Vejarano pleaded guilty in Spotsylvania County Circuit Court to the felony charge and was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but six months suspended.

Since that arrest, Vejarano was convicted four times of violating his probation, court records show. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail in 2012 for one of those violations and nine months in jail for another in 2014.

He was arrested in September 2016 on a fifth probation violation and has been in custody since that arrest. He has a hearing scheduled in that case on March 28.

He also has convictions for driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

4. Ciccone Was a High School Basketball Player, a Server at Red Robin & a ‘Great Aunt’

(Facebook)

Ciccone played high school basketball at Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg until 11th grade, when she stopped playing because of her job. The school posted a message on Twitter about Ciccone’s death:

Rod Crooks, the athletic director at the high school, told the Free-Lance Star, “It’s just pretty much caught everybody off guard, especially here in Spotsylvania County.”

J.P. Gibbons, one of her coaches, told the newspaper Ciccone had an “infectious smile,” and was a solid basketball player, scoring 21 points during one game her sophomore year. He said she was always pointed in a positive direction.

“She was driven both on and off the basketball court,” Gibbons told the newspaper. “I expected her to do some great things.”

Ciccone later studied at Germanna Community College.

(Facebook)

Ciccone worked as a server at Red Robin in Fredericksburg.

Her sister, Courtney, told WTVR-TV that Heather was a great aunt to her niece and nephews.

“She had such a good, bubbly personality and smile,” Courtney told the news station. “She was the sweetest most caring person you’d meet.”

Courtney Ciccone posted on Facebook in the days after Ciccone was killed, pleading for help in finding her sister’s killer.

“Please help us find who did this selfish, unthinkable act of hate! She was the sweetest most caring person you’d meet. Someone murdered her in cold blood and left her to die alone! Words can’t even describe what they are putting our family through and what her family is going to miss out on,” she wrote.

5. Ciccone’s Mother Says the Suspects ‘Will Have to Suffer the Wrath They Chose’

(Facebook)

Ciccone’s case has been unsolved since she was found in her car two years ago, but her family said they kept hope and police did not let the mystery go cold.

“Her execution style murder was a shock for this community. Heather was a loved daughter, sister, friend and (co-worker) of Spotsylvania. The last 15 months have been sheer HELL! This is something (you’re) never taught or learn about in life is loss, loss due to a heinous crime,” her mother, Stacy, said on the Justice for Heather Facebook page started after her death. “The (outpouring) of this community coming together gave us faith and now today the suspects identities will be released. They, along with their families will have to suffer the wrath they chose.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for being (there) for myself, my kids, my parents, my sister & her kids in this tragic time of our lives. Heather you are and will always be missed baby girl,” Stacy Ciccone wrote.

Sheriff Roger Harris said in the press release he “would like to personally recognize the dedication and persistence of the investigative team that brought us to today.”

The release name the Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Fredericksburg City Police Department, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, the King George County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police for “their valuable assistance and resources during this lengthy investigation.”